<p>^ I know this is kind of a vague question… but all I’m wondering is: if I have effective study skills and I am dedicated to my classes, can I maintain an A- average without killing myself? Or do I have to be an academic superstar (with an inherent intellect above normal) to do this?</p>
<p>if u dont understand the stupidity of this thread, you are probably not in good shape.</p>
<p>fwiw ive maintained a 3.7+ as a premed</p>
<p>Like I said, it’s a vague (~potentially “stupid”) question. However, maybe I should have asked if the top 10% (the ones who get the majority of the A’s) is mostly filled with hard workers who are prone to notice when something is difficult but keep working at it, or plain brilliant individuals (who have still worked hard of course) who usually find even the highest difficulty to be rather easy without too much thinking effort. You can make the argument that these “brilliant” people have gotten to where they are with hard work only, but what it comes down to is that people are born with different levels of academic comprehension (for example, one of my friends took 7 AP classes at my high school in addition to 4 college classes, all in one semester, and he still got all A’s, WTH).</p>
<p>I mean no offense, I too came from a big high school with lots of AP’s and stuff, but high school doesn’t match up to college at all. A 3.7 is the difference, as you probably know, between a 92 and 93. Yeah, its tough. I’d say focus on learning, the grades will follow. I took a Computer Science course last quarter (spring) expecting a C+ or a B-, was real disappointed when the final was hard as hell. Ended up with an A-. Not a 4.0, but a 3.7 isn’t too bad.</p>
<p>To answer your question: It really depends on what classes you take. Most engineering classes are hard because there are hundreds of people who just do well. You gotta keep up your game. I hear LS2 is hard, so careful what prof you take that with. Other than that, though, I hear bio is pretty easy. So you should be alright.</p>
<p>This reminds me of the whole “UCLA: where your best hasn’t been good enough since 1919” facebook page</p>
<p>Anyways, here’s my $.02</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Don’t obsess over grades. It’ll actually make it harder to do good. Like sat_gangsta said, you’re better off focusing on learning. If you do that, things should fall into place.</p></li>
<li><p>At this time, its kinda hard to make assumptions that you’ll have amazing study skills and dedication to classes. I’m not trying to insult you or talk trash…just saying that many people have amazing study skills and dedication in high school, yet when they’re in college, that all changes (for many different reasons). You should wait til you start taking classes and seeing if you are able to keep up those habits.</p></li>
<li><p>To be honest, in most south campus pre-med classes where the curve sucks, yea you need at least a little inherent intellect (it isn’t a rare thing to have). You definitely need to work hard in order to get grades that high, but it sucks to say that hard work won’t guarantee those grades.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Lol at your question, because you’re pretty much asking such an arbitrary question that can’t even be answered with an arbitrary answer…</p>
<p>But if I may, let me just say this from my experience:</p>
<p>There are 3 crucial things (IMO!) that will significantly allow to achieve academic success in terms of gpa:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Thirst for the knowledge/learning, you need to absolutely enjoy (and maybe even love) what you’re studying. I know this is freakn cliche and people probably tell you this all the time, but this should be the foundational reason why you should study. Don’t study something only because you think it is related to medical school stuff, study what you really want (doesn’t got to be bio or chem, i heard med schools don’t care, as long as you meet prereqs, but you alrdy know that i assume).</p></li>
<li><p>You need to have good work ethics. If you’re premed you’re going to need this (no offense, if offense taken lol). But, if you have the following above, this will come easy. You just need to physically adjust yourself to fit this schedule. The most studious people that I have heard of, a guy I know from uc berkeley, studies 50hrs/week on top of research, and I’m pretty sure some people study more. So work ethics is a must, and i’m pretty sure everyone who has a 3.7+ in a bio major possess this (unless they’re genius). So prioritize your **** and you’ll be straight.</p></li>
<li><p>A little bit of competitiveness. Now I’m not talking about flat out competition with your peers and hiding your notes from them because that makes you look like ******bag. But always be looking to self-improve by trying to identify your psychological and academic flaws with respect to the subject/class and do the BEST you can do. Be confident when you take your exams, because lack of this will not result in 3.7+.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>But yeah, don’t stress too much about grades, and I’m pretty sure you know that gpa isn’t end all be all, even for med school admissions. Just try to enjoy the things you learn. Because success will follow this. (I’m not premed btw, just a guy who loves learning wants to help ppl out).</p>
<p>choose another major;I don’t care how hard it is or will be, for I will get a 3.7+. OP, what were your hs stats?</p>